Suggested Reading for Agripreneurs and Ecosystem Builders

A curated mix of inspiring stories, practical strategies, and ecosystem insights to support your journey as an agripreneur, educator, or support organisation. This collection brings together voices from across Africa and beyond — from grassroots entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders to global innovators in sustainable business. Whether you're looking to launch a venture, mentor others, or strengthen entrepreneurial learning, these books offer valuable knowledge, creative thinking, and real-world experience to guide and inspire you.

Agripreneurship Across Africa – UN-FAO & EcoVentures International, 2019
A vibrant and inspiring collection of real-life stories from young agripreneurs across the continent. This publication showcases the diversity, resilience, and innovation shaping Africa’s agribusiness future.
👉 [Available here]

A West African Entrepreneur’s Challenging Path to Financial Freedom – Ike Onyema Obi, 2024
An honest and motivational account of a Nigerian entrepreneur’s journey from hardship to success. Through multiple ventures and setbacks, the book offers lessons in persistence, family motivation, and smart financial growth.

Buildings That Create Jobs – B. Thomas Mancuso, 2023
Explores how physical spaces—innovation hubs, incubators, and community infrastructure—can stimulate entrepreneurship, attract investment, and generate jobs in local economies.

Scaling for Success – Deji Adebusoye, 2023
A practical guide to building systems and strategies for growth in African SMEs, with insights on leadership, finance, and execution for entrepreneurs ready to scale.

Business Model Generation – Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur, 2010
An essential handbook for visualising, testing, and improving business models. Combines theory and practical tools to help entrepreneurs design sustainable ventures.

Value Proposition Design – Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur et al., 2014
A hands-on guide to crafting offers that truly meet customer needs. Filled with templates and real-world examples to strengthen your value creation.

The Startup Checklist – David S. Rose, 2016
A step-by-step manual covering 25 critical actions every entrepreneur must take to launch a strong, investor-ready startup. Clear, actionable, and grounded in experience.

Diary of an African Hub Manager – Jumane Mtambalike, 2022
A witty, personal window into East Africa’s tech and startup scene. Mtambalike’s reflections reveal the triumphs and challenges of building innovation ecosystems on the ground.

Food Entrepreneurs in Africa – Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, 2021
From one of the continent’s most influential agribusiness leaders, this book blends strategy, policy insight, and case studies to guide entrepreneurs looking to scale impact through food systems.

Entrepreneurship in Africa – Akinyoade, Dietz & Uche (Eds.), 2017
A research-based collection exploring the realities of entrepreneurship across Africa, with case studies on youth, informality, and innovation.
👉 [Available here]

Holistic Impact: The Ubuntu Polder Journey – Bruno Olierhoek, 2024
A systems-thinking perspective on business and sustainability in Africa. Olierhoek examines how inclusive value chains and strong partnerships can lead to meaningful, community-level change.

Freitag: Out of the Bag – Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, 2011
An artistic and strategic exploration of the Freitag brand—built around circularity, design innovation, and product storytelling. A creative lens on how values can shape a business.

A Book About Innocent – Dan Germain & Richard Reed, 2009
A behind-the-scenes look at Innocent Drinks, blending humour and insight to explore how simplicity, storytelling, and purpose created one of the UK’s most distinctive food brands.

Agribusiness Incubation and Acceleration Landscape in Africa – FAO, 2024
A ground-breaking review mapping over 430 agribusiness support organisations across Africa. Essential reading for those shaping policy, building programmes, or investing in African agri-SMEs.
👉 [Available here]

The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects – Martyn Denscombe, 2017 (6th ed.)
A clear and practical guide to designing and carrying out small research projects, ideal for entrepreneurs seeking to understand customers, test assumptions, or explore new opportunities. With straightforward explanations and useful tools, it covers surveys, interviews, observation, and case studies, making it a valuable companion for evidence-based decision-making in real-world business settings.

Have you written or read something worth sharing?
We welcome recommendations from across Africa and beyond. If you’ve written or read a book, case study, or publication that could inspire or support agripreneurs, especially in African contexts, please let us know. We’re always looking to expand this list with fresh voices, local insights, and practical knowledge.

Disclaimer:
These book titles are shared for learning and inspiration. We do not sell or profit from any of them. All rights belong to the original authors and publishers.